Telegram under fire: Australia demands $38 million for inaction in fighting terrorist content
Australia's online safety regulator (eSafety) has initiated a civil lawsuit against Telegram in the Federal Court. The essence of the claims is the platform's systematic ignoring of materials promoting terrorism, including videos with violence. This is the first such large-scale step by Australian authorities against the messenger, and it could cost the company up to 54.6 million Australian dollars (approximately $38 million).
The Essence of the Accusations: Negligence or a Systemic Problem?
The case is the result of a year-long investigation. According to the regulator, Telegram did not remove or even identify content related to terrorist activity. This refers to recordings of the shootings at mosques in Christchurch in 2019 and the mass shooting in Buffalo in 2022. These materials remained publicly accessible on the platform for almost three months after receiving complaints from users.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant emphasizes that Telegram's rules prohibit the promotion of terrorism, but they were not applied uniformly across all sections of the app. Moreover, the platform did not inform users about the results of reviewing their appeals. "We allege that this content remained accessible even after Telegram was notified," she stated.
Telegram's Position: Denial and Readiness for Court
In response, Telegram categorically rejected all accusations, calling its work in combating terrorism "well-documented." A company representative stated that it intends to contest the lawsuit in court. Notably, the messenger is used about 1.5 million times per month in Australia, and its global audience exceeds 1 billion users.
This lawsuit intensifies the legal pressure on Telegram, which is growing worldwide. Earlier, Russia brought charges against the service's founder, Pavel Durov, for facilitating terrorist activity. Durov himself linked these claims to Telegram's refusal to comply with demands for mass surveillance and censorship. In August 2024, Durov was detained in France but later released on bail, and in 2025 he left the country, moving to Dubai.
My analysis: This lawsuit is a landmark precedent. Regulators are increasingly moving from words to action, demanding real moderation from messengers, not just declarations. For Telegram, which positions itself as a bastion of free speech, the balance between privacy and compliance with local laws is becoming increasingly fragile. The outcome of this case could set the tone for other jurisdictions closely watching the developments.